The Columbia Lions will be back in action on November 2 with their opening game against Davidson. However, the winningest coach in their program’s history will not be on the sidelines, and that does not apply only to the Lions’ opener. Head coach Megan Griffith will also miss leading her team to tournament games in Nashville against Rhode Island and Belmont.

The suspension followed an external review initiated after Columbia received a complaint about Griffith’s behavior during practices in a previous season. The university said the review found that some of her coaching interactions with the team did not meet its expectations. While the university did not specify the exact incidents causing the 41-year-old’s suspension, Griffith expressed regret about the whole situation.

“I fully respect the process of the university review and take complete responsibility for everything that happens in the program, including the times my conduct fell short. As the head coach and a former student-athlete at Columbia University, there is nothing more important to me than the success and well-being of my players,” Griffith said in a statement released by the university, per On3‘s Talia Goodman on X.

Now entering her 11th season as Columbia’s head coach, Griffith has been suspended for the first three games of the 2026–27 campaign. According to The Associated Press, the university further revealed that the review did not require notice to the NCAA of any rule violations and did not involve any allegations of violations of the school’s anti-discrimination policies, Title IX, or related policies. Per Ivy Hoops Online, associate head coach Tyler Cordell will lead the coaching staff and make coaching decisions during Griffith’s three-game suspension, without a change to his official title.

A Columbia alumna, Griffith played at Columbia for four seasons, from 2003 to 2007, and became a two-time All-Ivy League selection. She continued her playing career in Europe, and later began her coaching career as an assistant for Courtney Banghart at Princeton. This came at a time when the Tigers made the NCAA Tournament thrice.

But her homecoming to the Lions in March of 2016 is when she truly grew as a coach. While success was not instant, it has been pretty evident since the beginning of the 2020s. Over the five seasons from 2021–22 through 2025–26, her teams compiled a 125–35 overall record, including a 61–9 mark in Ivy League play, averaging 25 wins per season.

In the 2021-22 season, Griffith made history, coaching the Lions to their first national postseason tournament qualification. But it was only the beginning of what would be a remarkable era. In the very next season, they won their first Ivy League Regular Season Championship. The run of success continued in 2023-24, when the Lions once again claimed the title of Ivy League Regular Season champions and received just the second at-large bid in Ivy League women’s basketball history.

Griffith’s efforts were coming to fruition, as in the following season the Lions earned their first outright Ivy League title and another at-large bid to the Big Dance. The Lions were ready coming to New York. On March 20, 2025, they secured their first NCAA Tournament victory in program history after defeating Washington 63-60, all while coming back from a 13-point halftime deficit.

Then, on April 1, 2026, Columbia made program history again under Griffith, lifting their first WBIT championship after beating BYU 81-64. Griffith’s team never trailed in the game, leading by as many as 27 points.

Clearly, after so many high-stakes occasions and a legacy 171-99 all-time record, Griffith has built a great rapport with her players.

“This is not indicative of our experience as part of this program, which has been overwhelmingly positive. We fully stand with and support Coach Griffith. This program is a family, and we pride ourselves on being a supportive and inclusive environment for all. We are ready to attack the season,” the team said in a statement to AP.

In fact, former Lions Guard Perri Page wrote to Spectator about her positive experience with Griffith.

“My experience with Columbia Women’s Basketball was incredibly positive, and it remains a meaningful part of my life. Coach G is an exceptional coach and mentor who is deeply committed to helping her players grow both as athletes and as people,” Page wrote. “I am absolutely grateful for my time in the program and stand firmly by the positive impact she has had on my experience. Given the opportunity to do it all again, I would make the same decision without hesitation.”

Once Griffith returns to the sidelines, Columbia will face a demanding stretch of nonconference games against several high-profile opponents. On November 12, they face Michigan, followed by Maryland two days later, and Duke on November 21.